Before I get the hate mail because I’m not on the Blues bandwagon like everyone else, I want to explain myself. , Let’s face it, a 15-2-2 run to end the season tends to carry some weight so I get where people are coming from. If you look over the last month of play this series is a mismatch but I’m going to put a lot of trust in Devan Dubnyk. I do know this, the last three meetings between these two teams the Wild were the better team including the last match-up which the Blues won but were outshot 14-4 in the third period, 33-20 for the game.

There isn’t a team limping into the playoffs more than the San Jose Sharks. In their last 15 games the Sharks are just 4-9-2. There are still health concerns with Joe Thornton and Logan Couture on a team where confidence has to be at a season low. I’m a big believer in the Edmonton Oilers who finished the regular season 12-2-0.

As usual, the public is backing the Blackhawks to come out of the West. I don’t feel that will be the case but it won’t be because of anything the Nashville Predators will do. This should be a six-game series at best. The core group of the Blackhawks provides too much of an obstacle for the Peds.

If my power rankings were based on the last month of play the Ducks would be near the top but because its based on the entire season neither the Ducks or the Flames get in my top 10. One component of the ratings is a running numerical formula that gives me an indication of quality offensive chances. Neither the Ducks or Flames are strong in this category. The Ducks are the better of the two but I don’t see the Ducks moving past the second round if they face Edmonton.